Music review: Madras Cafe has an unconventional soundtrack

August 09, 2013 09:07 IST

Madras Cafe has some interesting songs in its soundtrack that seem to go with the flow of the film. Still, one feels that the tempo should have been raised a bit to keep up with its spy thriller theme, writes Joginder Tuteja.

One is a tad surprised to see a soundtrack in place for a spy thriller film like Madras Cafe.

Of course, the music is quite unconventional since this is a Shoojit Sircar venture, and is not a regular Bollywood outing. Thankfully, there is no item number either, as composer Shantanu Moitra sticks to the theme.

The album starts on a somber note with Sun Le Re. Remembered till date for his heartfelt number Jiyein Kyun from the movie Dum Maaro Dum, Papon comes up with another soft outing. It could well have been titled Maula Re, given the number of times these words are repeated by lyricist Ali Hayat Rizvi. The song has a repeat version.

The next song Ajnabee is sung by debutant Zen, who has also written its lyrics. The pensive song sticks to the theme of the soundtrack.

Though the song is easy on ears, one does feel that for a film like Madras Cafe -- which is expected to be a fast paced action drama -- songs like Sun Le Re and Ajnabee are better kept short so that the narrative isn't impacted.

Singer Papon returns on the scene with Khud Se, which has a sad beginning to it but sounds interesting as it progresses. One can sense a trademark Shantanu Moitra touch here in the way this song is composed. This song is the best of the lot.

The way the song has been designed, with a good voice and lyrics (Manoj Tapadia), makes it the kind you want to listen to again and again.

Four instrumentals come up next.

Yet again, one expects a high adrenalin score here that befits the war genre of the film. But the makers definitely had other plans in mind, as they seem to show its dark side.

So Madras Cafe Theme, Title Theme and Conspiracy have a dark feel to them. Entry to Jaffna is a short minute-long piece.

Madras Cafe has some interesting songs in its soundtrack that seem to go with the flow of the film. Still, one feels that the tempo should have been raised a bit to keep up with its spy thriller theme.